"This summer athletes from around the world will gather in Manchester bringing with them a wealth of culture, heritage and diversity. This mix will be celebrated nationwide through the Spirit of Friendship Festival – there’s something for everyone – Get into the Spirit!" Ian Thorpe

Active Sports Talent Camps launched!

A £3m programme delivered by Sport England was launched nationally on 29 April in Eastbourne by Sport England chairman Trevor Brooking, ex-cricketer and England captain Ian Botham and his son Liam. More than 10,000 young athletes from 9 different sports will get the chance to tread in the footsteps of their sporting heroes in 9 different multi-sport Talent Camps.

"The Active Sports Talent Camps and the Commonwealth Games are showing how to harness and encourage young talent in this country. We have all too often let young sportsmen and women with great talent slip through the net." Ian Botham

This next generation of sports stars have all been spotted by their respective Governing Body as having real potential, and they will enjoy two days of top coaching, lifestyle management, training, sports science etc. - Everything they need to motivate and inspire them for a career of sporting success.

Active Talent Camps have already taken place in Loughborough, Norwich, Eastbourne, Sheffield and London and were deemed a great success by all those who participated.

Yorkshire and Humber – 29-30 June – Youngsters, parents, coaches, umpires, organisers and sports managers met in Sheffield where a thorough combination of coaching, lifestyle management, training and sports science was on offer to participants, all of whom had been selected on the basis of the promise they are showing. Feedback from the event has been unanimously favourable. Gary Clifton of Sheffield Events Unit, who co-ordinated the Talent Camp across nine city venues, sums it up: “Everyone involved in the Camp has been delighted with what was achieved.

The objective was to provide a tangible platform for the Active Sports programme to build on. Not only have we fulfilled that in a very positive and cooperative way, partnerships have been forged that will benefit young sports people across the region for the future. I’m very proud of the entire team that put this camp together and of all those who took part in it.”

South East – 29 – 30 June – Over 1,000 youngsters attended the South East's first ever Active Sports Talent Camp in Eastbourne.

Hove twins Amanda and Victoria Schofield (right) were interviewed by the Radio 4 programme Go4It! along with swimmer Penny Clapcott from Rustington. The programme goes out on 21st July.The girl’s football squad from the Brighton and Hove centre of excellence received tips from England international Una Nwajei and members of Eastbourne Borough FC.

Four Brothers from Slough kept the day a family event - all four played in the Rugby League matches! (below left)Tennis players kept an eye on Wimbledon, but spent most of their time on court and Tony Clarke, one of the coaches, said the youngsters were showing impressive co-ordination and tactical skills at an early age.

Athletics held a mini-competition on Sunday, but also did some fundraising for Sport Relief with a special Agility Challenge. VIPs visiting the Talent Camp were inspired to take part too.

Photographs by Matthew Hunt, Finegrain Photography

East Midlands – 6-7 July - Loughborough University was buzzing with 2,000 young athletes, coaches and volunteers - who gathered for a weekend of fun and sports.

Both days were filled with training, lifestyle workshops and tournaments followed by a BBQ and disco on the Saturday night.(Left) Star Hockey Player Georgie Twigg, 11 yrs from Lincoln was spotted by talent scouts from the National Hockey Association. Georgie aspires to play for England and proved her talent by scoring the winning goal for her team - just prior to having this photo taken.

As one of the youngest players at the Camp, Georgie impressed the coaches with her speed and confidence.

London – 8-9 July – More than 1,000 young sports stars of the future benefited from the wisdom of some of the best coaches in the world across London at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, Dulwich College and South Bank University Sports Ground.

The young Londoners were trained by top football coaches from Arsenal, Chelsea, Charlton and Wimbledon FCs; London-based rugby union internationals, Helen Clayton, Assunta de Biase, Nicki Jupp and Victoria Wiseman; former butterfly and breast-stroke world record holder and Olympic medal-winner David Lowe; Dwain Chambers’ mentor Mike MacFarlane; as well as GB hockey stars and Commonwealth Games medal hopefuls, Helen Richardson and Kate Walsh.

Ian Steele, Director of the London Active Partnership, which works with London Boroughs and sports authorities to provide wider access to organised sport, said: “The Active Sports Talent Camps programme is a fantastic venture which we hope will reap rewards in years to come.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see Sport England, the London Active Partnership and the various sports Governing Bodies working so closely together to benefit the next generation of Sally Gunnells, Dwain Chambers and Tim Henmans.”

Other Active Talent camps

West Midlands, University of Warwick, 13–14 July

North East, Sunderland, 13–14 July

North West, University of Central Lancashire, Preston 20-21 July

South West, Millfield School, Somerset 20-21 July

18 JulyTAG Rugby FestivalDidsbury – Old Bedians Rugby Football Club Ground – 2pmInvolving 21 primary schools who will ‘adopt’ a Commonwealth country. 300 children will take part fun sporting day for all the familyMr Philips 07774 939202

15–20 JulyCommonwealth Bridge Championships 2002Manchester – Whitworth Hall, Manchester University30 countries represented by bridge enthusiasts from across the Commonwealth. The event fosters international understanding and raises the profile of bridge as a sport for all. Spectators welcome.Jeff@manchesterbridge.co.uk

26 July – AugustHull University Sport and Fitness CentreFive weeks of summer sport camps for 11-16 year olds to develop their skills in basketball, rugby union, baseball, cricket, tennis and hockey. Emphasis on improvement and sporting participation taking the themes of the Commonwealth Games.Hull Sports Development 01482 616223

28 JulyEgor Over 40s Rugby FestivalManchester – Eccles Rugby ClubThis event is for rugby playing spectators at the Commonwealth Games to meet and participate in a fun sporting festival. All Commonwealth countries have been invited, bringing a multi-cultural emphasis to the fun dayBrian Minor – 0161 288 5324

5-9 AugustOrmiston’s Sporting ChancesEssex – The Ormiston CentreWeek-long athletics programme to target new participants of all ages and abilities to take part in athletics in local area.Dean Watson 01206 578 978

You can get involved with the Commonwealth Games Spirit of Friendship Festival.

There are many different ways that sporting clubs, schools and individuals can get involved. Take the opportunity and register your local sporting activity as part of the Festival. See the Guide for event organisers for further details.